Love the GW. What's not to love the food is fantastic. The ambience is great. The service is good. Great bar. I love the burgers. They're fantastic. read more

The menu is limited if you don't like pork, or chipotle. The water is horrible, and I think it's because the well is too close to the septic. The tomato soup comes as is, no crackers, no croutons. English cut fries are flavorless and undercooked. They seem to be able to ruin every dish. I have tried several times, because we live so close, but I'm done. It seems like they don't have a real chef anymore. read more

GW Tavern is Located in Washington, CT, which is the real Stars Hollow from Gilmore Girls. And much like Lorelai Gilmore in the fictional Stars Hollow, GW Tavern is the only game in town, gets a lot of play by locals, and stopped trying long ago. Drinks are good. Food is meh. Table water tastes awful. Stick with the basics. And stay away from the fried chicken. Service is hit or miss - you either get the eager, but clueless teenager, or the crusty vet who resents she's stuck working there this long (and she just quit smoking Marlboro 100s). The room is filled with WASPy tipplers - handsome women with their husbands named Leslie - who know their way around a gin martini. The place is open on Mondays, which is helpful, because everything else is closed. The fish & chips come in newspaper! read more

This was my first time here. We went after hiking in the area. This place is very popular. There was no parking so we had to park down the street. However, there were still plenty of tables available inside. The food was delicious. Three of us ordered the meatloaf sandwich. One of us ordered the vegetarian Cobb salad. My friend's only complaint about the vegetarian Cobb salad was that it did not come with Egg, which she did not realize when ordering. That it was busy our server was pretty good at getting back to us and getting our food and getting our drinks and refills. The inside had various decorations of George Washington as well as different trees and birds. read more

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Very cozy tavern in Washington Depot. It's also very popular so I recommend making reservations on the earlier side, as the parking lot fills up by 6 or 7p. The food is good with quite generous portions -- I had enough meatloaf for 3 meals. We enjoyed the Tavern pickles, jalapeño cornbread, and Pear and walnut salad. Everything was solid, though the zucchini served with the meatloaf wasn't the most ideal side; broccoli or green beans would've been a better choice. The highlight of the dinner was the maple bourbon old fashioned. I typically limit myself to one old fashioned in a sitting but this drink was so perfect, I couldn't resist having another. Our server was pleasant and the food came out quickly. The vibe is the best part about this location so I would definitely return. read more

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Delicious burgers (and fries), strong drinks (loved the mulled cider), welcoming staff, and a beautiful fireplace. This spot has a very homey vibe. The only minor complaint I can think of is the the taste of the water, which I think other reviewers mentioned. It just tastes a little off, maybe sulfur-like? Besides that, it was a really nice spot for an early dinner. My mom and I both enjoyed it! read more

G. W. Tavern - American Near Me - Washington Depot, Connecticut

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5 Star friend review - "The food was SOOO good...I don't remember the last time I cleaned my plate!" A friend of mine recently had dinner at GW Tavern in Washington Depot, CT, and wow - this place exceeded her every expectation. Ordered the Lobster Spaghetti (lobster, perfectly cooked pasta, cherry tomatoes, and a rich, flavorful sauce) paired with a great bottle of wine. Every bite was incredible - rich but balanced, perfectly seasoned, and made with fresh ingredients. She told me, "Honestly can't remember the last time I cleaned my plate like this. The food was THAT good. The atmosphere was cozy yet lively, service was attentive without being overbearing, and everything felt like it was made with care." If you're anywhere near Washington Depot, you have to try this place. I'd give it 10 stars if I could. read more

G. W. Tavern - Lobster Spaghetti - American Near Me - Washington Depot, Connecticut

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Came here after seeing a local town Facebook post mentioning that this was the place in the area for sticky toffee pudding. Glad I made a reservation that day because when we showed up at 6:30 on a Friday it was packed. Had to wait for someone to pull out so we could get a parking spot. Tables were tight together but we were seated right next to the fireplace which was very nice. I wasn't planning on getting a beer but the water tasted weird. I couldn't decide on a beer so had our server (Isaiah btw was awesome) bring me a couple samples. I picked and a few minutes later a beer came out. It didn't look like or taste like I expected. My wife told me I was probably wrong and I was just going to settle but Isaiah told me it was incorrect and brought the right one. I believe he comped it too. Wasn't planning on an app either but the Brussels sprouts were too interesting to not try and I'm glad we did. For entrees my wife had the pork Normandy which was very good. I originally wanted the weiner schnitzel but they were sold out so I got the pork ragu. The portion was fine, but smaller than expected and incredibly salty, to the point where some was still crystallized. I liked it fine but I could see other people hating it. Obviously we got the sticky toffee pudding. The portion was very large and we could probably have split one, but did order two. I've driven by this place many times but never knew it was there and would have driven by many more before noticing it. Will definitely come back again someday. read more

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Cute spot for some drinks and apps. It was gorgeous out so we sat on the patio. The service was slow to non-existent from the minute we sat down. Drinks and food were good but even when we specifically asked for something it seemed to fall on deaf ears. Additionally the server seemed to be angry or irritated for some reason, she was quite short/rude with our party (for instance: dropping off drinks without a single word as to if we needed anything, never checking on us once the runners brought our food, never ever had our water refilled and it was a warm day) We ordered oysters (fried and raw), potato skins, beet salad, pear salad and shrimp. The oysters were great but the raw ones were not on ice and it was a warm day. We asked for Tabasco sauce for the oysters and by the time it came out the oysters were pretty warm. Potato skins & salads were good, the shrimp a little over cooked. Our friends assured us this was the first time they have had sub par service but the place was not busy at all and it didn't seem reasonable. Generously giving 4 stars because most of the food was great and the patio was a nice spot to sit. read more

G. W. Tavern - Apps - American Near Me - Washington Depot, Connecticut

Had the delicious burger for dinner. They have 3 sizes of fries, small, regular and steak fries. Service with smile. Maggie was great. George Washington memorabilia everywhere. Very cool. Water needs a filtration though. I recommend getting a bottle. read more

Everything was outstanding. This is such a great place to drive out to and have a meal. From the moment you walk in you know you are someplace special. The menu has many selections to choose from . It's one of those places where everything sounds delicious . We started out with oysters which were incredible! Cold and fresh and served perfectly. Wedge salads and farm sourced chicken quesadillas were delicious! The bartender who was working on Sat June 21 was such a nice guy & made us feel very welcome as we sat at the bar. He was knowledgeable on the beers offered and taught me allot about tequila. He deserves a big raise. He's the kind of guy you want representing your place . read more

ORIGIN: Although the namesake of the town and restaurant did not visit the tavern -- the building was constructed in the mid-19th century -- George Washington reportedly stayed at an inn in the community. The building transformed into G.W. Tavern in 1996. LOCATION: G.W. Tavern invites opportunity to dine alongside the Shepaug River, at times accompanied by the scent of a wood-burning fireplace, or the sounds of local musicians. I like that it is set apart, perched on top of a hill overlooking the Shepaug River. Yet within walking distance you can see an art exhibit or browse for a new book. CONCEPT: G.W. Tavern offers American tavern fare, as well as a few twists on classics (e.g fried Brussel sprouts with caramelized red miso), as well as a few continental (e.g. Wiener Schnitzel) and Asian dishes (e.g. pork belly bao). EXPERIENCE: I visited during ithe inaugural Washington Restaurant Week. Restaurant Week is conventionally arranged to attract new customers, as well as long lost customers, via a menu that highlights some of the best each restaurant has to offer, but at price that reduces the potential customers' sense of risk. G.W. Tavern fully embraced participating in Washington's inaugural Restaurant Week with a $30 prix fixe tasting menu. Despite living nearby, my last visit was well before the current owner and chef took helm. Restaurant Week nudged me to return to scout out some intriguing innovative menu items with a friend, and I was so impressed I returned later in the week with my family. G.W. Tavern is now on our list of "go to" restaurants in Litchfield County! AMBIANCE: G.W. Tavern is filled with George Washington artifacts associated with the tavern and its location. In this way the tavern is grounded in history. Patio seating is available in warm weather. TIPS: Here's my recommendation for first time visitors : * Fried Brussel Sprouts with red miso caramel, cubes of apples, and togarashi seasoning * Hudson Valley Duck Breast (medium rare) with sour cherry juice, duck fat potatoes, and haricot vert * Glass of Pinot Noir from Banshee Vineyard * Warm Sticky Toffee Pudding with whipped cream. If the tavern is crowded I suggest avoiding the wooden bench seating as some wiggle if there are multiple guests seated on the opposite side. read more

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Good food, nice historical place. Ambience was also very nice. Would definitely stop by again

The restaurant is beautiful. I love the cabin like feel. I like how diverse the menu is. The quality of the food is pretty good. Some dishes are a miss. The service is wonderful. read more

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This is the Best Hidden Gem we have been to in a while! The ambience was Amazing our waiter was great and the Food did not disappoint at All! The schnitzel both Veal and Pork with spatzal was great! The pork bolognese was the bomb! We did not have the desserts there but did get the sticky toffee pudding, cherry pie, and cookies to take home and even though day after they are Great! Wish they were closer to our house! read more

G. W. Tavern - Ambience food was too good and forgot pics! - American Near Me - Washington Depot, Connecticut

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Beautiful setting on the Shepaug River with spacious outdoor seating and a cozy, wood-burning fireplace inside. The food is made fresh, in-house--no processed or frozen ingredients--just real farm-to-table flavor. Chef Sean Tompkins brings incredible care to every dish. Also, amazing drink specials! I had a Blueberry Mule with fresh blueberries and house-grown mint, and a fresh lemon basil martini that was perfectly balanced and refreshing. One of the best dining experiences in Litchfield County--can't wait to go back! read more

G. W. Tavern - Yummy blueberry mule, with fresh blueberries and house grown mint! - American Near Me - Washington Depot, Connecticut

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Staff here is so kind, accommodating, and attentive. Food is always great! never disappointed. read more

I have been looking forward to coming here because I enjoy older restaurants and it surprisingly has good reviews. The restaurant itself is very nice and historical but it is a shame that the food and service are atrocious. We ordered potato skins and French onion soup for appetizers. It took awhile to get our order taken even though it was not busy. A different server brought me tomato bisque and completely blackened potato skins. The tomato bisque was quickly replaced with the french onion soup which was the only enjoyable thing about this experience. The potato skins were overcooked and inedible. I can't believe the kitchen would send something like that out but my mom does not like to complain so we kept them. Our entrees came out which were the chicken pot pie and eggs Benedict. The pot pie had no flavor or salt. The hollandaise on the Benedict was completely split and the eggs were completely cooked through. Again, I could not believe the kitchen would send that out. I sent it back and did not request a replacement. The server was slow and did not apologize. We definitely won't be back and will caution others to not go here. read more

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It was Resturant Week in Washington Depot last week. We looked online at the special menu for the GW Tavern, and we chose our meal. We even invited some friends to join us. When we arrived for lunch, we asked for the special Resturant Week menu. We were then told that the special menu was only for dinner. I explained to our server that there was no mention of "only dinner" on their website. but our server was not moved. A classis "Switch and Bait." I will never return to that resturant. To add insult to injury, the food was Meh, and the steak was chewy. read more

Food quality / price (value) rating 7.5. The atmosphere is colonial tavern. We've been coming to this late 1700's tavern for decades. We frequently come during the Summer to sit outside on one of their incredible multi-level outdoor patios overlooking a beautiful river, where you can sit in the shade of giant oak trees. There are two indoor dining rooms and a 10 seat bar. The menu is a pretty standard tavern menu. There is a real wood burning fireplace in the bar area that gets fired up during the cold weather. Typically, the food is very good. This trip, we started with an appetizer of jalapeno corn bread. I couldn't taste any jalapeno. They used to serve a really good mixed bread basket before your meal , but that is no longer the case. For an entree, I had the Shrimp Scampi over linguine. The shrimp wasn't sauteed on high enough heat, and lacked the added flavor that proper sauteing provides. The sauce on the linguine also lacked flavor, and the portion was not very large. The wife had the Pork Schnitzel entree, which also was lacking flavor. The entrees are served ala carte (no bread or salad). The service by Amanda was great. For dessert, we split a Sticky Toffee Pudding with added vanilla ice cream which was excellent. This was on a Sunday evening, so it's possible the regular chef wasn't in house, and this could be why the food was a little bland. We'll still come here because the experience is great even when the food is a little off. read more

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It was appropriate for a rainy day. GW Tavern is known for hopping in the warmer weather, but the somewhat dark lighting with the austere fireplace and fairy lights overhead were fitting. There was a brighter back room, but any outdoor seating was a wash. I love the paint job, with even the plugs incorporated into the design. The New England clam chowder was a little thin, but full of potatoes, clams, and the like. Overall it had a good flavor. The turkey sandwich was on delicious, crunchy bread that melted in your mouth, and the ingredients were obviously fresh. For soup and a sandwich, it was a great meal! The employees were all very friendly, they allowed me to pick my own table (it was also a slow day, mind) and there was no feeling of rush to have to leave. The waiter came by at least twice to check to make sure everything was okay. read more

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Sat at the bar with my girlfriend we shared the potato skins ( yummy). She had a salad and I had the fried veal schnitzel ( way to filling) all in all a great meal and a definite back in the future. read more

Our waitress was delightful Unfortunately our food was cold and quiche tastes awful cold The setting was very nice ands the ambience was good Will probably try again and express that I would like food hot read more

Really cute place very good atmosphere got to Dalit outside overlooking a brook. Waitstaff were very helpful and kind and have wonderful recommendations on other local places to visit read more

Great food! The server was pleasant, knowledgeable and suggested a delicious beverage that paired well with the weather and my meal. The French onion soup tastes EXACTLY how you want a French onion soup to taste. Deducted a star for the difficulty parking. The bathroom is small, thankfully I didn't hit anyone with the stall door as I opened it. Lovely place. Will definitely return. read more

G. W. Tavern - Potato skins - American Near Me - Washington Depot, Connecticut

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The outdoor seating is so spacious. The views are beautiful. The food is freshly prepared, not frozen like you get at some places. My lobster pasta was full of tons of fresh lobster. You can get both versions too! My brunch Bloody Mary was so delicious. They added house made bacon to it. They can leave it out for a vegetarian option. think of everything to accommodate everyone servers were so friendly and helpful. Great experience. We will be back! read more

The food was absolutely disgusting. The water tasted like poison. We ordered lemonade and it STILL had that nasty taste from the water. The restaurant smells so AWFUL it's unbearable to sit inside. It is extremely dark inside and we went in the middle of the afternoon too. Outside patio was nice, but the gross food and drinks made this dining experience a total waste of money. We spent $100 and left hungry. read more

Always a great choice. The interior is cozy and especially fabulous when the fireplace is going. During the summer we enjoy eating in the outdoor space. Service is timely and efficient. Everyone from the hostess to the smiley busboy was kind and conversational. Our food has never disappointed as they serve many specials and classic meals, always fresh and flavorful. This will continue to be one of our staple restaurants. read more

One of Litchfield County's staples. It's really lovely to go to a place that you went to with your parents in boarding school. This part of Connecticut has many of the same spots still going strong. GW has a nice little bar with my fave KJ Chardonnay, a lovely outdoor seating area and an inviting interior. It's equally as welcoming in the summer as in the cold depths of winter. Highly recommend. read more

G. W. Tavern - American Near Me - Washington Depot, Connecticut

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Ambience fantastic, drinks and service were very good., food was tasty I'd go back again I wish they had more comfortable chairs or couch to sit comfortably and enjoy a drink and conversations read more

A Hidden Gem in Washington Depot - GW Tavern GW Tavern offers an exceptional dining experience in a stunning setting along the Shepaug River. Whether you're seated on the spacious outdoor patio with its peaceful views or inside by the cozy, real wood-burning fireplace, the atmosphere is warm, inviting, and distinctly New England. What truly sets GW Tavern apart is the food. Everything is made fresh, in-house, with a true commitment to farm-to-table cooking. They don't use anything frozen or processed--every dish is thoughtfully prepared to order by Chef Sean Tompkins and his team. You can taste the quality in every bite. It's the kind of place that values tradition, flavor, and hospitality. If you're in the Litchfield Hills, this is a must-visit spot for anyone who appreciates great food and beautiful surroundings. read more

I'm sorry to give such a negative review to this historic place but holy moly was the food bad. I was here ten years ago for a good French onion soup and drinks on the patio and it was very nice! This time we ate in the old inside for about 2 hours because the service was so slow. So slow that I gave up on complaining about the inedible salmon burger! It was the fishiest tasting salmon I've ever had. The burger was dry and pretty inedible as well and the restaurant smelled really bad..but hey, I guess it's so old. Sorry GW Tavern. The prices weren't cheap but since the food was inedible I hope you read this and improve things! read more

This charming, classic tavern was exceptional! Excellent friendly staff -aware of our presence and needs throughout our meal. The food choices were diverse and our choices were well prepared and delicious. Even George would be proud! Definitely worth a drive into "Gilmore" territory. read more

Came here on a busy Saturday night with a party of seven. We liked the rustic old American interior. Our server was excellent; very attentive and friendly. Our food was average; not bad, but not great. I had the weiner shnitzel; the spatzle it came with was fairly bland and the shnitzel itself was just ok. Had to send my kid's pork chop back a few times because it was undercooked. In the end we said we didn't want it and they took it off our bill. On the positive side, the fried Brussel sprouts app was excellent and my wife enjoyed her crab cakes. In general, we didn't hear a lot of "wow this food is great" comments from around the table but we didn't hear much serious complaints either, hence the average rating. read more

The ambience was really good the food was also good it's a perfect restaurant to go to if you like history.the only thing was the water tasted a little off. read more

G. W. Tavern - American Near Me - Washington Depot, Connecticut

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This place remains on the short list of special restaurants- the ambience, the history and of course the food make it a favorite. The shepard's pie was way more than I could finish, and since is was President's Day I had to try their on house made cherry pie. It did not disappoint ! read more

G. W. Tavern - American Near Me - Washington Depot, Connecticut

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Poor service and lack of attentiveness of the staff. The food was mediocre and lacked flavor especially the desserts. Disappointing experience after high expectations. read more

The BEST meal of the year! Well worth a trip to this Up scale restaurant. Beatifly maintained with authentic colonial decor. The staff was was very good and it went up from there. The menu is amazing and all three of us felt our dishes were outstanding. My son had the Chicken Pot Pie which was the best any of us have ever tasted. It was large and topped with a unique biscuit. My wife had the salmon and said it was cooked to her preferred temperature. Amazingly moist and delicious as was the rice pilaf and creamed spinach it came with. I had the scallops and salmon gyoza (dumplings) which came in an delicious Asian sauce along with Bok-Choy. We usually don't have dessert but so glad we did. We all had the Sticky Toffee Pudding which was a date bread-like pudding covered in toffee sauce. An absolute must have. We can't wait to return so we can have another great experience! read more

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Good food, friendly waitstaff. The outside deck is lovely for lunch, cool and breezy. The inside of the tavern is very cozy, and warm feeling. Overall a delightful experience. read more

Was really excited to try this place after hearing great things. The menu looks so promising offering crafted food from local sources. With this being said our visit happened to be on Valentine's Day. I was surprised that there was no Valentine's Day specials but didn't think too much of it. Was a little disappointed with the cocktail menu so we decided to get a bottle of wine. They did serve a nice little crispy cheese ball which was the best part of our meal. We started with 3 apps, French onion soup, clams casino and corn bread. The French onion soup was underwhelming and tasted OK. It was a bit burnt on top which gave it an overall burnt taste. The clams casino was probably the worst I've ever had. It was a clam with a ton of breadcrumbs. Zero flavor. Corn bread was pretty good so we were hopeful for dinner. I ordered the steak tips. The steak tips were all drastically different sizes hence all cooked to different temps. The sauce it came with was the most bland tasteless thing. Never have I ever not eaten my meal at a restaurant because it was so bad. This meal was inedible. Good enough to feed to my dog but not a human. The "mashed potatoes" were a very strange gelatinous gritty slop. I'm convinced they weren't even potatoes because I've never had anything that tasted like that. My husband ordered the meatloaf and was actually not terrible but came with the same weird "potatoes". The server kindly removed my steak tip meal after telling him it honestly was just not good. The server afterwards kindly brought a couple chocolate chip cookies which is my husbands favorite so we were excited. As soon as he grabbed a cookie off the plate a sizable BUG started crawling around the plate and quickly we grabbed the server to show him. He offered to bring us a "fresh" batch and we loudly said no. The owner came over to apologize and said he doesn't understand how that happened since it's the middle of winter so most bugs are dead. I can come to the conclusion that the kitchen is probably dirty and doesn't get cleaned regularly. I'm sure bugs are breeding somewhere back there. I would never recommend this place to anyone. This is a restaurant that should be on chef Ramseys "kitchen nightmares". Do yourself a favor and don't bring any friends or family here, save yourself the embarrassment. Such a shame that we missed the window when this place used to be good. Reading the other comments it sounds like the quality has really been plummeting. read more